You flip a light switch or plug in an appliance, and nothing happens? What’s wrong?
Your natural reaction is to assume the circuit breaker tripped. But after checking the electrical panel, you determine that’s not the problem. What could it be?
If your first reaction is to call in an electrician, go with your gut. Working with electrical issues can be dangerous work. It’s best to let an electrician get to the root of the problem.
However, there are a couple of other things you can check to start pinpointing where the problem lies.
First, look at where the light or appliance is plugged in. Is it attached to a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet? You’ll recognize a GFCI outlet with the familiar “test and reset” buttons located in the middle of the outlet. GFCI outlets are much quicker to trip for protection. Hit the test button; does it click? If not, push the reset button until it clicks, then check the outlet again and any outlets connected to the line. Is electricity flowing once again?
You can also check to see if you have other electrical issues, such as loose wiring or outlets. Do you plug something in only to have the plug fall out because it’s so loose? How old is your wiring? Like every resource in your home, your wiring will only last for so long. It could be time to replace your wiring and bring it up to code,
Or maybe you notice your lights flickering throughout the evening. Is this normal? It depends.
Both LED and fluorescent bulbs are prone to flickering when they reach peak illumination. If it continues throughout the night, it could be a sign they are wearing out. You can also check to ensure the light bulb is tightly screwed into place. If it’s only in one lamp, it might be a problem with the electrical wiring within the light. These can easily be fixed on your own.
But if your lights keep flickering, it’s more than one light without definitive cause, or you notice it after a major appliance turns on, you could have voltage problems in your home. This requires the immediate attention of an electrician. To prevent fire within your home, contact one of our electricians immediately.